Low T 384ng/dL at 20 years old.

[johnfromeurope]

Hi,
for a long time i've been suspicious about my testosterone levels since my progress in the gym was very bad. I've been lifting 3 or 4 times a week for more than 5 years, my stats are:
age: 20
height: 5'10" (1.77m)
weight: 160lb (72.5kg)
body fat: pretty low, about 9-10% i think
There were some other factor that contributed to my suspicions: no beard-only some hair on my chin, very bad concentration-focus-lack of interest in things.
So I finally got my levels checked and the results came back, total testosterone at 384ng/dL. (Estradiol is 21.25 ng/L)
Is there any way to fire up my HPTA-like with HCG or any other way-beacuse I am only 20 and I don't want to jump right on TRT. Do you think I should go on TRT?
thanks for all the advice

 

[71Avido]

I am only 20 and I don't want to jump right on TRT. Do you think I should go on TRT?

No.
Exhaust your other options for restarting your own natural production before jumping on TRT.
TRT sucks, I've been on since 12 years old bud, being married to a needle sucks.
It's for life.

 

[johnfromeurope]

Well, but I doubt I could "restart" since I've always been feeling like that, and always been looking like a little boy. I think my test levels have always been low during my puberty.<--I will talk about this with my doc
Soo, since I'm in what is considered "normal" range, it won't go over insurance, and i have to go to a private doc, is that how you do it guys?

 

[Midnight80]

Stop training for some time and test your T again. Constant fatigue lowers T.

 

[halfwit]

Oiiii. What's up with all these younger guys and being shut down?!

Anyhoo, did you happen to get your LH/FSH levels checked as well John? LH/FSH will give a little insight into whether or not you are primary hypogonadal. If you're primary, TRT is very likely in your future as this means your testes no longer function properly. If you're secondary, there is a chance to bring your natural testosterone online by fixing whatever underlying condition is causing you to have low testosterone. As your name implies, you may have quite an uphill battle in front of you as Europe tends to be a bit more on the picky side with who does and doesn't get TRT.

Stop training for some time and test your T again. Constant fatigue lowers T.

384ng/dL is about half to one third of where he should be. Over-training can lower testosterone, but I'd be hesitant to declare that it could cause THAT big of a change in serum levels.

 

[johnfromeurope]

First, thanks for the replies guys.
I think i have to emphasize that i've never used any illegal drugs/anabolic steroids, except for animal stak, which should not contain any prohormones.
Up to now i've only tested total testosterone and estradiol. One month after the first test, i plan to do another bloodwork and i will check LH, FSH, free T and total T.
After i do this bloodwork, if the test will be low, i plan to do a one or two month clomid cycle 50mg or 100mg.
How's your opinion on this, i think it's not gonna hurt me.

 

[halfwit]

First, thanks for the replies guys.
I think i have to emphasize that i've never used any illegal drugs/anabolic steroids, except for animal stak, which should not contain any prohormones.
Up to now i've only tested total testosterone and estradiol. One month after the first test, i plan to do another bloodwork and i will check LH, FSH, free T and total T.
After i do this bloodwork, if the test will be low, i plan to do a one or two month clomid cycle 50mg or 100mg.
How's your opinion on this, i think it's not gonna hurt me.

If it makes you feel better, prescribed pain drugs are what killed my testicles - so nobody is going to judge you here for what caused this.

You need to know those LH/FSH values before you go mucking around with clomid as it may very well do nothing for you if your LH/FSH are already at healthy levels (Primary). The reason for this is that clomid tricks your body into thinking it has too low of estrogen, so your pituitary gland releases more LH into your blood stream, telling your testes to turn up testosterone production. If you already have a healthy LH signal, as you can guess - it would be pointless and a waste of money.

Hopefully your doctor can work with you and help you find the best treatment for your situation. Remember, it can be a long process - so be patient. Believe me, I know how trying it can be to wait for these things to "iron out" - but it's worth it in the end.

My .02c

 

[johnfromeurope]

Well, i went to a private doctor with the bloodwork results, and he said as long as the results are in the normal range, no treatment is needed. So i don't even dare to think what my insurance doctor would say.
I will do a bloodwork on FSH/LH and then see whats up...If i got you right, if my FSH/LH levels are low, then it would be ok to try clomid?

 

[johnfromeurope]

halfwit, are you on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)? I know one guy in my country that takes 200mg enth/cyp every 5th day and some arimidex and he said he feels great. He's buying it underground, because our country is really fucked up in this aspect.
If you say our doctors you take protein powder, they say you 'you have to stop taking this immediately!' LOL

 

[SicVic]

If it makes you feel better, prescribed pain drugs are what killed my testicles - so nobody is going to judge you here for what caused this.

You need to know those LH/FSH values before you go mucking around with clomid as it may very well do nothing for you if your LH/FSH are already at healthy levels (Primary). The reason for this is that clomid tricks your body into thinking it has too low of estrogen, so your pituitary gland releases more LH into your blood stream, telling your testes to turn up testosterone production. If you already have a healthy LH signal, as you can guess - it would be pointless and a waste of money.

Hopefully your doctor can work with you and help you find the best treatment for your situation. Remember, it can be a long process - so be patient. Believe me, I know how trying it can be to wait for these things to "iron out" - but it's worth it in the end.

My .02c

I know pain meds can bust up your HTPA. But like by how much? Can muscle relaxers bust up your HTPA Also?

 

[johnfromeurope]

Is it possible that primary hypogonadism(problem in the testicles) originates from an impact to my balls during my youth? I remember once we played inline hockey, and i was in the goal, man, that shot hurt..
Anyways, what i think where my problem stems from is that my left testicle is much smaller than the right one. It really seems small to me. It is also not nearly as sensitive as the right one. Could that be the core of the problem?
I'm reaaly curious where my LH and FSH levels are, will post as soon as i have the bloodwork done(in about three weeks).

 

[71Avido]

Is it possible that primary hypogonadism(problem in the testicles) originates from an impact to my balls during my youth?

Testicular trauma is definitely one way to cause hypogonadism.
I'm not saying that's your specific issue, that's for a doc to decide, but it's one option.
In your case, a very plausible one especially since you've noticed symptoms of damage.

 

[johnfromeurope]

I went in to test today, will post the results tomorrow. I did LH, FSH, TT and E2.

 

[n0limits]

I am 22 and on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) because test was super low. Like has been said above, weigh out other options. Make sure you play around with your diet too. Make sure you are eating efficiently, then get levels checked. I doubt it would make a day and night difference, but who knows. Try clomid. If nothing else, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) isn't the end of the world. Yeah, you have to inject every week of your life, and of course there is some evidence that long-term effects are harmful BUT you will feel 100% better. I think that's what matters most at the end of the day.

 

[Megatron28]

I am 22 and on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) because test was super low. Like has been said above, weigh out other options. Make sure you play around with your diet too. Make sure you are eating efficiently, then get levels checked. I doubt it would make a day and night difference, but who knows. Try clomid. If nothing else, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) isn't the end of the world. Yeah, you have to inject every week of your life, and of course there is some evidence that long-term effects are harmful BUT you will feel 100% better. I think that's what matters most at the end of the day.

What is the evidence of long-term harmful effects with TRT?

 

[n0limits]

Well as far as my endo is concerned, anyways. I asked him about side effects and he said almost everything is anecdotal, and any studies that have been done aren't usually long-term. Meaning there isn't much scientific evidence about health effects at all. He explained to avoid orals as they will negatively impact the liver, and that possible side effects of injectable testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may include fluid retention, gynecomastia, polycythemia, and exacerbation of existing prostate cancer. All of which are usually treatable and almost always occur in larger doses. That's why it's super important to get blood tested at least every year if on TRT.

 

[Megatron28]

Well as far as my endo is concerned, anyways. I asked him about side effects and he said almost everything is anecdotal, and any studies that have been done aren't usually long-term. Meaning there isn't much scientific evidence about health effects at all. He explained to avoid orals as they will negatively impact the liver, and that possible side effects of injectable testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may include fluid retention, gynecomastia, polycythemia, and exacerbation of existing prostate cancer. All of which are usually treatable and almost always occur in larger doses. That's why it's super important to get blood tested at least every year if on TRT.

So you haven't seen the evidence you referred to? Just quoting your doc? That kind of puts it in a different light...

All the things you listed for injectable T are managed in a good testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) protocol. You realize that, right? Hopefully you talked about how to manage them with your doc.

 

[johnfromeurope]

Make sure you play around with your diet too. Make sure you are eating efficiently, then get levels checked.

I ate super efficiently, so this shouldn't be a concern.
Maybe a little concern is that i woke up at 7:40, then went on train, and arrived at the lab at 9:40. That may be too late, but i have no other option.
Hardly waiting to see the results tomorrow...

 

[johnfromeurope]

Also, a ate a sandwich and a cup of milk in the morning before the tests. Should that be a concern?

 

[jomamma007]

dude are you serious... that milk lowered your testosterone by at least 40% before a blood test